Silly me, I thought Bastille Day was July 14th and I’ve been saving this birthday dinner post!
The Setting:
Bastille is set off the beaten path in an unassuming former lumber shop showroom, and looks like a formal living room without the furniture and draperies. Brian observed, “It looks nice, but not so nice you aren’t comfortable.” Our table was tucked against a window near the bar, and I spent comfortable lulls watching a bird who kept pecking at the grass in the yard just outside the restaurant. It was very relaxing.
The Service:
I believe the servers here work with a team approach. The man who seemed to be the head waiter was always the first to notice us trying to get someone’s attention. However, Brian asked when he made the reservation that our server be told it was my birthday and simply wish me a happy birthday, and no one did.
The Food:
The menu was a bit confusing, as the Sunday family dinner prices at $24 included an appetizer, entree and dessert. Cheese was a supplemental $4, or you could have dessert and cheese for $33 – it reads clearer here than on the menu.
I started with the signature shrimp and calamari beignets (which I had read about in the Washington Post) and Brian had a Caprese salad.
The Washington Post was spot-on in saying the beignets were too heavy for an appetizer – and the portion was also too large. However, I would get one order of these to share with the table, and the accompanying sauce gave them an added kick of flavor. Brian’s Caprese was just lovely, although be ready for a kick in the pants from the garlic spread on toast.
For dinner, Brian went with the mussels, having been converted since his experience at Brasserie Beck. He declared them as “perfectly fine,” but said if Beck’s bivalves warranted an “A,” these were a solid “C.”
My bistro steak with pomme frites looked fantastic and the marinade was truly great, if the meat a bit chewy. The frites, however, were in desperate need of salt – the kind that you can only add when the potatoes are still hot from the oil. I also asked for ketchup, and was brought a little silver pot of housemade sauce. And…I gotta say it: sometimes the birthday girl just wants a little Heinz 57. However, I did really enjoy my meal.
No birthday cake for this birthday gal! (Although I had nearly drowned in cupcakes the night before – Funfetti deliciousness made by Brian and Jack to celebrate). Instead, I ordered the banana pudding with housemade oatmeal cookies and caramalized bananas. It was good, although it tasted – dare I say it – almost healthy. Brian indulged in the peach tatin – and clearly out-ordered me. (I think his picture alone is all the commentary needed.)
Bastille was a really nice experience, while not one that transported us to the continent. We’ll be back with friends (make reservations and check the policy - parties larger than 5 need to hold their table with a credit card) or perhaps my father – this seemed like his sort of place.
Best for: An enjoyable, relaxing evening out away from the hub-bub of Old Town.
Worst for: Large, loud parties.
Tags: Bastille, Beignets, Bistro Steak, Brasserie Beck, Caprese, French, Mussles, Old Town, Pomme Frites
